Page 92 of Falling Back to You

Jerry4Ever:

Bean There, Done That’s Newest employee is our own prodigal!!!!

My stomach clenched at Mrs. Gulliver’s choice of words. But there was no mistaking the blurry café video of a barista as anyone but Noelle.

Another video popped up. Greyson and Noelle were talking at the counter. I groaned. Grey, if you went all protective on me, I’m going to set Mrs. Pickles loose in your house and steal your socket wrenches.

“Let’s get a hot chocolate,” I said, knowing my daughter would have no argument with that.

Was a public conversation with Noelle what I wanted? Not particularly, especially if Mrs. Gulliver and her phone were in a five-mile radius. A surge of protectiveness swelled in my chest. The town could be vicious in their opinions, especially when one of their own was involved. I clenched my fists. Were they snubbing her? What had Greyson said to her? Noelle hadn’t given me the rundown of how Operation Bribery went.

That’s why I was here. To make sure she was okay. Totally not because I simply wanted to see her.

“C’mon, Daddy,” Khia begged, tugging me towards the door.

Bean There, Done That was quiet with the afternoon lull. Noelle was behind the counter, her curly blonde hair piled up in a messy bun with loose tendrils slipping out around her face. She was smiling at a customer. A real smile.

That smile was a magnet, and I was powerless to resist. My feet moved in her direction of their own accord. Khia bolted to the counter, her nose pressed against the pastry display.

Surprise lit Noelle’s soft eyes as I stepped up to the register. “Cal?”

“What do coffee beans say to their Valentines?” I blurted out. Which was not the Hello, how are you? I love your smile I had been intending to say. Too late to go back now.

She blinked at me. “Uh . . . I’m not sure.”

“You keep me grounded.”

Someone snorted behind me. I peeked over my shoulder and noticed Pops at the corner table.

Noelle rolled her eyes, but her lips curved up in amusement. “Still cracking jokes when you’re nervous?”

“They’ve only gotten worse with age.” Pops chuckled, lifting his mug in a salute.

I scowled at him. “Enough commentary from the peanut gallery.”

He held up his hands, eyes sparkling with glee. Closing his paper, he discarded his mug in the dirty dish bin and patted Khia’s head. With a nod to Noelle, he strode out of the shop—but not before flashing me a wink and subtle thumbs-up as he passed.

I rubbed the back of my neck. Dads. They still found ways to embarrass you even in your thirties. “Corny?”

Noelle smiled. “A little. But in a good way.” She glanced down at Khia. “Hey, Little Miss.”

Khia grinned, weaponizing her dimples. Deadly things, those dimples. I would know. “Will you come to the parade with us?” Hope lit up her face, and worry gripped my stomach that she’d be disappointed. It was wrong to assume Noelle would want to spend time with her—with us—outside her nanny duties. I shouldn’t have put her in that position to break my girl’s heart, but truth be told . . . I wanted Noelle to come with us.

When Noelle glanced at me, I nodded discreetly. Please say yes.

“I’d love to, sweetie.”

Khia bounced up and down. “See, Daddy, I told you she’d say yes! She likes us!”

“What’s not to like?” I teased.

Noelle chuckled, cheeks flushing. “Does it still start at two?”

“Yeah. We can, uh, carpool if you want.”

“Thanks, but I’m actually having lunch with my dad and Ruby, so I’ll meet you there.” She smiled apologetically. “Where should I find you?”

“Here?”